Get to know KYSFMA Member: Matthew Goode-UK Sports Turf

How did you get into field maintenance?

• I got into field maintenance through my education and early hands-on experience. I went to Eastern Kentucky University, where I studied turf grass management. While in high school, I worked at Lincoln Homestead State Golf Course, from there, I completed several strong internships in both sports turf and golf course maintenance, which helped me develop the skills for the Turf Grass industry.

What’s a typical day out here look like for you?

• A typical day starts early with checking field conditions and prioritizing what needs to be done based on weather and scheduled events. From there it’s usually mowing, lining fields, setting up for practices or games, and making sure everything is safe and playable. Throughout the day, I’m also handling repairs, irrigation checks, and any problem areas that pop up. But the main goal is always to keep the fields in top shape for athletes and events we have.

What part of the job do you enjoy the most?

• The part I enjoy most is seeing the finished product when the field is ready for play. There’s a lot of work that goes into it, and it’s rewarding to watch teams use something you helped prepare and take pride in how it looks and performs. I also enjoy the problem-solving side of it figuring out how to fix worn areas or adjust for weather because it keeps the job interesting and challenging at times.

What’s the toughest part about keeping this field in good shape?

• Is balancing heavy use and weather conditions between practices, games, and events, the field doesn’t always get much rest, so wear and tear adds up fast. The challenge is keeping the surface safe and playable while managing recovery time, which takes constant attention and planning.

How do you decide what needs to get done on a busy day?

• We meet every morning before we start and talk about what needs to be done at each facility, and we come up with a game plan for scheduling and events.

What kind of equipment do you use the most? 

• Mowing and field-prep equipment: including riding mowers, line stripers, and utility vehicles for hauling tools and materials. I also use a lot of hand tools like rakes, shovels, and tampers for repairs and hoses to manage water in the softball infield.

Ever had any funny or unexpected things happen while working on the field? 

• We had a quick coupler brake during the high school softball tournament, not great, but it could have been worse.

How do you handle the field after bad weather?

• The first thing I do is inspect the field for safety and damage checking for standing water on softball outfield or on the soccer fields  The goal at the end is to get the fields back to a safe, playable condition without rushing it and causing more harm to the playing surfaces

What’s something most people don’t realize goes into keeping a field looking good? 

• People don’t realize how much planning and behind-the-scenes work goes into it. It’s not just mowing and painting lines -- there’s constant monitoring of grass health, soil conditions, and weather, plus timing things like watering, fertilizing, and repairs so the field is ready when it’s needed. We are the first ones there and always the last to leave.

Which tasks take the longest or require the most patience?

• Things like fixing worn or damaged areas, reseeding, and waiting for grass to establish can’t be rushed, especially during the season when the field is still being used.

How do you work around team practices or games?

• We work everything around the schedule. Practices and games come first then once the field is clear we go back in for repairs and recovery work. It’s a lot of timing and flexibility, but the goal is always to keep the field playable without interrupting the teams.

 What’s one thing players or coaches do that makes your job easier? Harder?

• When coaches communicate with you about practice and let you know how the field is playing.

 Is there anything you wish people understood better about field maintenance?

• I wish more people understood how much planning, patience, and attention to detail goes into keeping a field in great shape.

What’s your favorite season for field work?

• The spring weather is milder, the grass is growing actively, and you can really see the results of your maintenance work. And I really enjoy watching softball!

If you could upgrade anything about the field or equipment, what would it be?

• For me would be   advanced field monitoring tools like soil moisture sensors or growth tracking technology would help us make data driven decisions about watering, fertilizing, and recovery of the field